Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/power-play-soft-power-unpacked Power Play: Soft Power Unpacked dives into the subtle yet powerful ways individuals and institutions use influence—not through titles, policies, or mandates; but through culture, storytelling, relationships, and transparency—to shift perspectives and drive change. From diplomacy and grassroots organizing to the power of pop culture, we unpack how soft power shapes hearts, minds, and movements. © 2026 Penny Abeywardena ad5f06d5-26c1-5ee4-8674-e905e6f0e229 yes f0682800-d787-11f0-8519-4364f77ebbca en Fri, 20 Feb 2026 13:42:43 -0500 Fri, 20 Feb 2026 13:43:04 -0500 https://softpowerstrategies.com https://img.transistorcdn.com/AyZKBUrC82SiR7kXsRnVOxvNe9QZW7q8po6kcwoY0ek/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS85MzZi/ZWFmZDVjMTUwMDhi/OWVjYjFkMDc5Y2Vm/MTBlMy5wbmc.jpg https://softpowerstrategies.com episodic Penny Abeywardena Power Play: Soft Power Unpacked dives into the subtle yet powerful ways individuals and institutions use influence—not through titles, policies, or mandates; but through culture, storytelling, relationships, and transparency—to shift perspectives and drive change. From diplomacy and grassroots organizing to the power of pop culture, we unpack how soft power shapes hearts, minds, and movements. Power Play: Soft Power Unpacked dives into the subtle yet powerful ways individuals and institutions use influence—not through titles, policies, or mandates; but through culture, storytelling, relationships, and transparency—to shift perspectives and drive change. soft power, leadership, influence, culture, workplace Penny Abeywardena ds@softpowerstrategies.com No No 2 2 United Nations' Amina J Mohammed On Power And Presence full e68a1926-3cc7-44da-888c-c0b60bbdc77c https://share.transistor.fm/s/34adac8e Holding a coalition together when 193 countries want different things requires a specific kind of leadership. In this episode of "Power Play: Soft Power Unpacked," Penny Abeywardena sits down with Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, for a masterclass in leading without coercion. From the childhood lesson that taught her "we before I" to the moment she gave up her seat to a young activist in a room full of presidents, Mohammed shares how she builds trust, keeps people from walking away, and wields hope as an operational strategy—not sentiment. This is soft power in action: influence that compounds because people believe you, follow you, and feel safer because you're there.

]]> Holding a coalition together when 193 countries want different things requires a specific kind of leadership. In this episode of "Power Play: Soft Power Unpacked," Penny Abeywardena sits down with Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, for a masterclass in leading without coercion. From the childhood lesson that taught her "we before I" to the moment she gave up her seat to a young activist in a room full of presidents, Mohammed shares how she builds trust, keeps people from walking away, and wields hope as an operational strategy—not sentiment. This is soft power in action: influence that compounds because people believe you, follow you, and feel safer because you're there.

]]> Thu, 19 Feb 2026 18:18:09 -0500 Penny Abeywardena Penny Abeywardena 3079 Holding a coalition together when 193 countries want different things requires a specific kind of leadership. In this episode of "Power Play: Soft Power Unpacked," Penny Abeywardena sits down with Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, for a masterclass in leading without coercion. From the childhood lesson that taught her "we before I" to the moment she gave up her seat to a young activist in a room full of presidents, Mohammed shares how she builds trust, keeps people from walking away, and wields hope as an operational strategy—not sentiment. This is soft power in action: influence that compounds because people believe you, follow you, and feel safer because you're there.

]]> soft power, leadership, United Nations, Amina J Mohammed, women in leadership, coalition, SDGs, diplomacy No 1 1 Diane von Furstenberg Unwraps Soft Power full 78591126-0638-4188-a347-94c204651e42 https://share.transistor.fm/s/e7059360 In the debut episode of Power Play: Soft Power Unpacked, Diane von Furstenberg breaks down the wealth of influence she has built; not through authority, but through self-awareness, kindness, and intention. She shares how her mother’s survival, her iconic wrap dress, and decades of mentoring shaped her belief that real power comes from honesty and knowing oneself. DVF reminds us that in a world obsessed with such visibility, the most radical power move is being entirely—and unapologetically—yourself.

]]> In the debut episode of Power Play: Soft Power Unpacked, Diane von Furstenberg breaks down the wealth of influence she has built; not through authority, but through self-awareness, kindness, and intention. She shares how her mother’s survival, her iconic wrap dress, and decades of mentoring shaped her belief that real power comes from honesty and knowing oneself. DVF reminds us that in a world obsessed with such visibility, the most radical power move is being entirely—and unapologetically—yourself.

]]> Fri, 21 Nov 2025 12:02:36 -0500 Penny Abeywardena Penny Abeywardena 1608 In the debut episode of Power Play: Soft Power Unpacked, Diane von Furstenberg breaks down the wealth of influence she has built; not through authority, but through self-awareness, kindness, and intention. She shares how her mother’s survival, her iconic wrap dress, and decades of mentoring shaped her belief that real power comes from honesty and knowing oneself. DVF reminds us that in a world obsessed with such visibility, the most radical power move is being entirely—and unapologetically—yourself.

]]> soft power, dvf, leadership, influence, fashion No